The Life And Ministry Of John Mosley
Gospel Standard 1866:
Death. On Feb. 18th, 1866, John Mosley, of Shelley, near Huddersfield, aged 61.
He was a preacher of the Gospel, and was a very useful man as a supply to the many churches which are without a stated minister in both Lancashire and Yorkshire. He was upon the walls of Zion for about 25 years, and his usefulness is best known in those places where he was called to preach. He maintained the doctrines of grace in his ministry, not only in the theory, but truly so, as being clearly revealed in the heart. He also preached an experimental religion, as well as a practical one, in harmony with the glorious doctrines of sovereign grace. His ministry, upon the whole, was well received by the lovers of truth, but some of his friends used to say sometimes that it was rather too legal; but this chiefly arose from his determination to enforce a practical walk and conversation, becoming that holy profession they had taken upon them. Many can witness that his preaching was both edifying and comforting, and his walk and conversation becoming a man of his standing, both as a private and public character.
For the last two years he suffered much from an ulcerated throat, which prevented him from going out to preach as often as usual, but not entirely, except for the last nine months, during which time he was principally confined to his house, but not to his bed.
During the former part of his affliction, he seemed to have more of the Lord’s presence and blessing than in his latter end. He was saying, only a short time before his death, that his affliction was a dark one, for the Lord seemed, for wise ends, to have withdrawn his comforting presence from him, and so he was troubled. This darkness lasted, apparently, as long as life lasted, or, at least, as long as he was able to be awake; for during the last eight hours of his sojourn here he was asleep, and could not be awoke; therefore he slept and died.
We are glad to see light at eventide; but our God is a sovereign, and bestows his favours on whom he will and when he will, and none have a right to say, “What doest thou?” There is many a child put to bed in the dark at night, but which is all right in the morning; and so no doubt with our departed brother.
I saw him some few months before he was laid aside from preaching, and he told me how good and kind the Lord had been to him in his affliction, and how he had blessed his soul with a token for good, and given him a precious promise upon which to rest. He spoke of this sweet manifestation with such joy and pleasure, and with such thankfulness, that his very countenance seemed to be heavenly and divine. From that time he thought he would recover from his affliction; but the Lord had determined otherwise.
David Smith
Siddle Hall, near Halifax, 5th March, 1866.
John Mosley (1805-1866) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He served 25 years as an itinerate minister of the gospel, exhorting and comforting the brethren gathered in the Lancashire and Yorkshire areas.
